Abbey Carlson, Thomas Fishinger, Pennsylvania couple arrested after putting child in dog kennel in back of truck, driving around

Pennsylvania drivers were shocked on Monday evening to see a 10-year-old girl in a dog cage in the back of a pickup on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.

While the child was unharmed, police report that Abbey Carlson, age 29, who is the child’s mother, and Thomas Fishinger, age 30, both of Millvale, were awaiting arraignment on Monday night in Night Court on the charges filed after Millvale police stopped the truck near their home.

Her mother and stepfather were charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Fishinger, who was driving the pickup, told police they were driving home from his mother’s house in Beaver County.

When asked why the juvenile was in the cage, Fishinger told them she had asked to be with the dog, a criminal complaint states.

A motorist called state police to report seeing a girl in a dog cage in the bed of the pickup, troopers said. Troopers received a second call a few minutes later from another motorist. The motorists were able to provide a description and license number of the pickup, troopers said.

About the Author

Butter Bracco - Roxanne "Butter" Bracco is the Pittsburgh Correspondent, but will be providing reporting, insights and interviews for the Pennsylvania, eastern Ohio and West Virginia regions. Contact Roxie aka "Butter" at [email protected] ATTN: Roxie or Butter Bracco